Fish Sniffer On Demand Digital Edition 3805 Feb 15- Mar 1 | Page 27

HALF MOON BAY Boaters Bag Sanddabs, Sole and Dungeness Crabs When Weather Cooperates EL GRANADA - The weather had the upper hand over the weekend of February 2-3 and Captain Tom Mattusch of the Huli Cat had to cancel his sand dab/ Dungeness crab trips, but he is planning to head out on Sunday, February 10 depending on the weather. Mattusch said, “The crab counts are holding up, and we have limited out on every trip so far this season since the November 3rd opener. Our last trip produced 16 limits of Dungeness isn’t super cold, there has been a good amount of run off coming down into the bays and there seem to be plenty of fish around. I think things are only going to get better as we head into spring.” “We’ve done some fishing in Suisun Bay and we’ve run down to San Pablo. There are fish in both areas, but we haven’t found a hot area yet. Eel and shrimp baits have been working well for us. With the water temperature up, we’ve been getting a lot of action on those baits,” added Smith. Fish Sniffer reader and avid kayaker Lee Nunes recently took a paddle west of the Martinez Marina and nailed a 47 inch keeper sturgeon while soaking a ghost shrimp/pile Gilbert Dalgado was soaking bait in the West Delta on January 26 worm combo in 18 when this dandy striper decided to feed. feet of water. Photo courtesy of the DIAMOND GETTERS, Facebook. “It was really a dream come true,” said Nunes. “I’ve been sturgeon fishing more than a dozen times and I’d only landed a few shakers. I wasn’t expecting to catch a sturgeon. I figured that with ghost shrimp and pile worms I had a shot at hooking a striper or two and if I got lucky I might get a sturgeon. In reality I had my keeper in the kayak within 20 minutes of casting out my rod,” exclaimed Nunes. crab along with 505 sand dabs, and we are limiting loads to 16 anglers due to reducing tangles in the deep water. The crabbing has been unbelievable, and we may never experience a season like this again since the commercial pressure has been so light in the local waters. As a result, the crabbing has been excellent.” The Huli Cat is the only large party boat running the combination trips until the salmon and rockfish seasons open in April. The Coastside Fishing Club will be holding its annual Swap Meet on March 2nd in the Pillar Point Harbor, Upper Parking lot, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The legendary Grill Crew will be cooking up hamburgers and hotdogs on a donation basis. Space is free to members of Coastside Fishing Club, and non-members will pay a $25 fee to display that will also get them a one- year membership in Coastside Fishing Club with access to the bulletin boards and hot fishing information. Out of Half Moon Bay Sport Fishing, the party boats will focus on nature trips along with whale watching in the interim months before the rockfish and salmon seasons are anticipated to open in April. Captain Jerad Davis of the Salty Lady will also be running whale watching trips on Saturdays and Sundays through April. Further north in Pacifica, the pier has been open intermittently due to the weather, and the crowd size has been limited throughout the season after the November 3rd opener. A few Dungeness crab continue to be taken from those chucking out snares loaded with squid, anchovies, or sardines, but experience is essential in picking up a few legal crab per rod. The pier is open daily from 4:00 a.m. through 10:00 p.m., weather depending. = Dave Hurley These boys hit the West Delta hoping for sturgeon this winter with Captain David Hammond and ended up limiting out. Photo courtesy of DELTA PRO FISHING, Elk Grove. MARTINEZ Sturgeon & Stripers Battle Anglers Help Protect Our Saltwater Fishing Heritage! MARTINEZ- “Our sturgeon and striper season just got underway. We’ve run a couple trips and we’ve gotten some keeper sturgeon and bass,” reported Captain Chris Smith of Happy Hooker Sportfishing. “The conditions look great. The water Q ueen GOLDEN GATE FISHERMENS ASSOCIATION PRESENTS CONTINUED ON PG 26 of H earts (707) 387-9637 INFO.GGFA@GMAIL.COM Doors Open At 5:30 PM To Book Your Spot Call Natalie At Predator Sport Fishing Small Groups • Great Rates The Bay’s Best Crew! Friday, March 1st, 2019 $85 Per Person, Full Tables Available! This handsome keeper Suisun Bay sturgeon was caught during a trip with Captain Steve Mitchell on January 26. Photo courtesy of HOOK’D UP SPORTFISHING, Pittsburg. Excellent Sturgeon, Bass and Shark Fishing! 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